by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Feb 5, 2012 | All About Tax
TurboTax is finding ways to make tax filing easy and affordable. I just discovered a couple of discounts being offered when using their online tax preparation software. For Manulife Financial customers: This tax season, Manulife Financial is again offering customers...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Jan 29, 2012 | All About Tax, Retirement
Q: I am turning 60 next year. Should I apply for CPP now or wait until I am 65? A: It sounds like you realize that electing to receive CPP prior to age 65 means that your monthly pension will be less than if you waited until age 65 to apply. There is no simple answer...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Sep 5, 2011 | All About Investing, All About Tax
Every once in a while I come across an investor who was convinced to borrow money and invest the loan proceeds. This was presented to them as a smart way to build their net worth and reduce their tax bill at the same time. There are a number of financial organizations...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Jun 12, 2011 | All About Investing, All About Tax
It is estimated that there are about 150 fee-only financial planners in Canada. That is 150 individuals, not companies. Compare that to the fact that there are over 17,500 Certified Financial Planners (CFPs) across the country. With so many CFPs offering free...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | May 2, 2011 | All About Investing, All About Tax
U.S.citizens continue to have obligations for U.S. tax purposes even though they may be a Canadian resident for many years. Canada and the U.S. have worked together over the years to ensure that treatment of RRSPs and RRIFs by each is consistent. This is not true for...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Apr 28, 2011 | All About Investing, All About Tax
A banker, broker and financial planner walk into a bar. They are approached by a fairly inebriated customer who laments the huge tax bill they just learned about from their accountant. He asks the financial experts what he should do. (true story, except the bar...
